Why Buy A Branson

[Nuthintodue]

II have been looking around this forum for a specific answer, and have not run across a solid answer as to why buy a Branson.

We have been looking for a tractor to maintain the property (clearing, finishing mowing, movement of numerous piles of crap, and light duty work daily to include stable maintenance) and have narrowed it down to the two closest dealers within a 50 mile radius. One sells Branson Tractors and the other sell John Deere. Would look closer, but the dealers close mainly sell ground care equipment and mowers and I do not need a bigger riding mower. So why besides price is Branson better than a Deere? The two models being considered are the Deere 4210 and the Branson 3510. The Deere with loader is pricing out at $22000 with a 1 year warrantee and the Branson with Loader is pricing out at $16500 with a 3 year warrantee. I have read all of the horror stories on this forum about Branson, and have read the same stories on the Deere forum so I do not need to see them.

So why buy Branson?
Thanks and look forward to the responses

 

[6or7dazeaweek]

Nuthintodue: They are all good until they break down...and they all will break at some point in time. Go visit the dealers & go with the one that you feel comfortable with.

Jon

 

[SnowRidge]

You have answered a big part of the question with the price and warranty differences. Another part is usually weight. The Bransons typically weigh more than their big name competitors. In most cases, that is a good thing. The John Deere seems to be marketed as a residential tractor. The Branson is not. To me, the term residential applied to a tractor is a red flag warning that it is built to lighter than farm or commercial standards.

As far as build quality goes. Kukje not only builds Bransons, they build engines for Cummins and agricultural tractors for John Deere, which says a lot.

I have no personal experience with JD, but I do with Branson. My 3520 blew a steering line twice. The first time, it was replaced out in the field (on the side of a hill) at no cost, including no travel costs, and no hassle. The second time, all the steering lines were replaced as part of a recall, again at no cost, including pick up and delivery, again with no hassle.

I don't blame Branson (Kukje) for the steering line failure. A vendor supplied substandard hoses to them -- it happens, and Kukje fixed the problem at no cost and no hassle to me.

I am quite happy with my Branson, and would not hesitate to buy another Branson tractor.

 

[clarkie]

Nuthintodue,

I think you need to ask yourself what you want in a tractor. If high end bells and whistles like HST are important to you, than go Deere. If like me, you will be satisfied with synchro shuttle, than the money you save as noted above may lead you to Branson. You can buy your self a lot of attachments with that extra money. I know I did.

I have a Century 3647 with the 50 HL FEL that I bought two years ago with the help of this forum. This 47 HP tractor is a branded version of the Branson, and is identical in every respect, other than the FEL set-up.

I use the tractor for bush hogging, box blading, and general loader work. I even bought an auger for it and installed 350 cedar posts for some paddocks I built. I have been very pleased with the tractor in every respect.

The extra weight noted above probably does not indicate a quality difference, but does come in handy if you plan to do significant loader work. I can easily handle full sized round bales with my machine, and the quick detach makes easy work going back and forth between my bucket and bale spear.

If you have quality dealers near you for both of these machines, than ask yourself what you want. The Branson is very functional, and I doubt you will miss the extras.

clarkie

 

[GEB]

Big Bang for the buck.
Nothing wrong with a Deer or a Branson.
But anything can happen with any tractor...
I looked at all sorts of different tractors, and Branson
seemed to be and still is a wise choice for me.
Good luck with your choice.
Gene

 

[KYMike]

Weight, power, price, warranty, and features are major factors of your two candidates that I think favor Branson significantly.

Just weight and power make the 3510 about a third- to half-again as much tractor for ¾ the price. Of course, there are some non-statistical factors that are more subjective, but my 3510 has been comfortable and dependable with NO problems in the year I’ve had it. I didn’t look at the 4210 before I bought, but seems like JD loaders I looked at didn’t have capacity for forks and weren’t very easy to drop. The Branson loader is a true quick-disconnect unit with good capacity, and the quick-connect bucket/fork setup takes only seconds to change. I found I use the forks almost as much as the bucket.

Don’t know if you’ve had a tractor before, but weight is a very significant factor in how much grunt a tractor will deliver, especially using a box blade or the FEL. On the other hand, my heavy 3510 with R4 tires can still finish-mow around the house with no damage to the lawn.

I like the proven and simple systems like the PTO control and shuttle tranny, and I don’t like trading off PTO hp for HST and other fancy stuff. One feature on the 3510 that I was surprised to use as much as I do is the 2-speed PTO. I can use the high setting with my PTO backup generator and power my whole house with the engine around 1100 rpm – really saves fuel and wear.

You probably know that Kukje’s engine is the same one they developed and build for Cummins, and it is a great engine. True, it isn’t direct injection like the Yanmar, but it seems bullet-proof. Also, remember that you are getting half-again as much hp to the PTO than with the 4210. Don’t know how to compare what resale value will be, but the last tractor I sold was 40 years old, so I intend to use my 3510 for decades.

The one advantage the JD unit has is its length of history. Green will always be around, and Kukje’s brands have gone through some changes of late. It seems, though, that Kukje is committed to the Branson effort, and they seem to be coming on stronger. They have a good and growing dealer network, so if you have dependable, established dealer support (as I do), I think the chance of being left without support is diminishing. I don’t know how to value such an indeterminate variable, but to me it wouldn’t be worth paying $5,500 more for far less tractor with 1/3 the warranty.

Good luck!

 

[Stimw]

I bought my 3510 in May 05. I got sucked in to tractor shopping after seeing ads for the tractors made in Communist China that are everywhere here now. Prices of $3995. and up. I looked at them and then I saw the Branson line at one dealer. I've worked on Semi's for 30 years, managed 3 shops in 2 states and now have my own business with 3 lines of construction equipment. My point, I think I know quality workmanship. I see it in the Bransons. I love all the features my tractor has from the diesel engine, the 12 spd shuttle shift or 4 wheel drive the tractor is smooth! Also lights, turn signals, 4 ways, back up and work light and horn standard. How about the fuel tank mounted low for better stability and easier fueling. Also with the R-4 tires it really packs dirt when you are leveling. It has a lot of power too. I pull a 5' box blade in 2nd range 2nd gear and if I hang on a root it will spin all 4 tires.
I could go on but I think I will go give it a hug!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BobQ]

I love my 4720! I would buy it again! Most of the points have been covered.

Bob

 

[Cliff_Johns]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The Deere with loader is pricing out at $22000 )</font>

I think if your looking at the Branson, you should probably be comparing it with the JD990 (40Hp, 4cyl) which is the more workman-like machine. Simpler etc. With loader, I'd expect it to be around $17,000 or so with 4wd. Remember that the prices on the Deere Web page are list, actual should be around 15% less (+ or - depending on local conditions)

Still, if your Branson dealer gives you more comfortable vibes, and seems a trustworthy, professional place, they are solid tractors and I bet you'll be smiling when you put your new tractor in gear and dig in whether you own a Deere or a Branson.

Cliff

 

[DavesTractor]

I'm not sure the 990 is a fair comparision to the Branson. The Branson is a 12x12 shuttle and heavier, so the 990 comes up a little short, although I sure like the sound of the Yanmar built John Deere's.